The Elf on the Shelf is a holiday tradition beloved by many, and my family is no exception. These fun little characters are a fantastic way to build excitement for the holidays! When I was little, our elf was my favorite part of the holiday season. I named him Snowflake when I was 5 and was amazed at the thought of having a real elf added to our family. 

Every year our elf tradition was predictable. I would wake up early each and every morning just to find Snowflake. In the evenings, I would write him a letter and leave snacks for him on a small hors d’oeuvres plate. By the next morning, there would be nothing but crumbs left behind and a small letter in response to my own. 

In this way, he sealed my notion that he was real. I would also spend days making Snowflake a colorful house constructed from cardboard, wood and lots of glue. Snowflake was an important part of my holiday joy and an important member of our family.

Our tradition with the Elf on the Shelf continues today, although now I enjoy hiding Snowflake for my younger brother. The way his face lights up when Snowflake is found each morning is always fun to see, and it reminds me of why the Christmas season is my favorite. 

It makes me feel nostalgic to see him writing letters. I believe that writing all those letters to our elf and reading his responses helped improve my reading and writing skills at an early age. While it may seem unconventional to write all those letters, I believe it was a part of what made the experience so special to me. 

One complaint I have of Elf on the Shelf is that they do not look very realistic. I think steps could be taken to make them appear more life-like and less like a doll with no feet. Also, I feel that more creative marketing strategies would be attractive to buyers than just stacking them on a table in the middle of a store. 

Overall, the Elf on the Shelf tradition is one that I believe should be implemented in the homes of all who celebrate the holidays. If you have young siblings, I highly recommend that you take part in this tradition and make it unique to your family!